Embargo, 2 February 2006, 15:30
Suresnes, 2 February 2006.
REORGANISATION OF COMMERCIAL ORGANISATION AT SOLVAY PHARMA AND FOURNIER PHARMA IN FRANCE
Following its acquisition of Fournier Pharma in July 2005, Solvay Pharmaceuticals has begun a process of reflection in order to integrate the two companies.
The aim of this study is to build a “new Solvay Pharmaceuticals” by 2010, an innovative and successful company, able to meet the current and future challenges facing the pharmaceutical industry, through a portfolio of targeted products, a productive and promising R&D pipeline, critical mass and an efficient organisation designed to boost sales and improve profitability.
The strategy of the “new Solvay Pharmaceuticals” will leverage two key therapeutic areas: the neurosciences and cardio-metabolism. The management of the cardiometabolic pole will essentially be operated out of France. In addition, Fournier’s research centre based in Dijon will hold an important position in the company’s research in these areas, and will be integrated into Solvay Pharmaceuticals’ research network.
In France, Solvay Pharmaceuticals and Fournier Pharma reported on the progress made on the integration study as regards commercial activities and support functions to the representative bodies of the two companies on 1 and 2 February 2006.
The study takes into account the need to rationalise the commercial activities (medical rep visits) and the support functions, following the merger of the two companies in France. Moreover, it forms part of a strategy to restore their results and to ensure future development. In addition, a structural adjustment was imposed by the reinforcement of measures aiming at cutting the social security’s pharmaceutical spending.
While honouring the commitment made by Solvay Pharmaceuticals when the acquisition was announced to maintain employment until the end of July 2006, some 400 job cuts are under consideration throughout France in the commercial operations as well as in the support and central functions.
Solvay Pharmaceuticals reiterates its intention to hold constructive talks with employee representatives in order to plan and manage the social impact of this integration project in the best possible conditions.
SOLVAY PHARMACEUTICALS is the pharmaceuticals entity of SOLVAY. It is a research driven pharmaceutical company that seeks to fulfill carefully selected, unmet medical needs in the therapeutic areas of cardiology, gastroenterology, neuroscience, women’s and men’s health, and influenza vaccines. Solvay Pharmaceuticals employs more than 10000 employees in the world.
In France, Solvay Pharma employs around 800 people between its commercial and industrial activities.
Solvay Pharmaceuticals acquired FOURNIER PHARMA in July 2005. In France, Fournier Pharma has 1,300 employees in its commercial, industrial, R&D and support activities.
SOLVAY is an international chemicals and pharmaceuticals group with headquarters in Brussels. It is present in more than 50 countries and employs some 33,000 people in its Chemicals, Plastics and Pharmaceuticals activities. Including the recently acquired Fournier Pharma, its 2004 sales amounted to EUR 8.5 billion. Solvay is listed on the Euronext 100 index of top European companies. Details are available at www.solvay.com.
| Press contacts | ||
| Céline Rouaud – Solvay Pharma Tel. 01 46 25 87 95 email: celine.rouaud@solvay.com |
Martial Tardy – Groupe Solvay Tel. 32 2 509 72 30 email: martial.tardy@solvay.com |
Lise Lemonnier – Fournier Pharma Tel. 03 80 44 73 86 email: l.lemonnier@fr.fournierpharma.com |
Solvay Pharma – 42, rue Rouget de Lisle BP 22 – 92 151 Suresnes Cedex